X Factor – This Must Be Pop

What I learned from Girls Aloud: Off the Record

I recently realised that I hadn’t actually seen all the episodes of Girls Aloud’s 2006 E4 documentary series, so I decided to watch the whole thing again. I saw quite a few familiar faces from the music industry and there were some interesting connections to the band members’ futures… Although the girls were moany at… Continue reading What I learned from Girls Aloud: Off the Record

Against All Odds, A Moment Like This? That’s My Goal!

The X Factor final is nearly here and there are many rumours going around about what song the winner will release as their single. For ages a Gary Barlow-penned track seemed likely, but now that we have the finalists it’s pretty clear that this won’t be suitable. Damien Rice’s Cannonball has also been rumoured, but… Continue reading Against All Odds, A Moment Like This? That’s My Goal!

Life Can Be Bright In America

Every year I look forward to X Factor being back on TV, and I waited years for X Factor USA to begin. But now it’s on I can barely be bothered to keep watching. It’s not that it isn’t an enjoyable show, but it’s stayed so true to the British X Factor template that even… Continue reading Life Can Be Bright In America

Viva la Festa

X Factor 2010 may have been the launchpad for one of the series’ worst winners yet, but it also introduced us to some of the most interesting, charismatic contestants they’ve ever had. While Cher Lloyd made her way to the final 3, my other favourite Nicolo Festa was not so lucky. His sense of humour… Continue reading Viva la Festa

Holland has the X Factor – Week 1

Part 4: The Groups BadBoyz: I was prepared for horrendousness as soon as I heard there was a duo called BadBoyz in the top 12, possibly even a John & Edward-esque novelty act, but they’re actually the most entertaining act I’ve seen so far. They are cheese-tastic, but at least they’re more fun to watch… Continue reading Holland has the X Factor – Week 1

Holland has the X Factor – Week 1

Part 3: The Boys Jaap van Reesema: Jaap (whose name is pronounced Yarp!) was an instant favourite for me as his embarrassed smiles and slightly hunched forward posture make him look like a shy little boy. He has a lovely soulful pop voice too, similar to James Morrison. He’s not necessairly someone I’d be excited… Continue reading Holland has the X Factor – Week 1

Holland has the X Factor – Week 1

Part 2: The Girls Daniëlle Penning: 21 year old Daniëlle is best known so far for falling over rather dramatically during a performance in the boot camp stages, but luckily she managed to stay upright this time around. Her vocal performance was unfortunately quite awful, but she does win points for at least vaguely resembling… Continue reading Holland has the X Factor – Week 1

Holland has the X Factor – Week 1

There was a time when the Netherlands was my number two country for foreign music finds, only second to the almighty Swedes. I loved acts such as Anouk, Elize, Sita and of course the fantastic Dutch Star Academy group K-otic, who I was obsessed with for a couple of years. However, in the last few… Continue reading Holland has the X Factor – Week 1

Which Dane has the X Factor?

Yep, it’s the final! One YouTube search for “X Factor Danmark” unfortunately ruined the surprise of who won for me, but I’ll keep you guessing for the moment. Sadly my favourite, Jesper, came in third. He didn’t have very interesting songs to sing, and was the first to sing so he already had a disadvantage.… Continue reading Which Dane has the X Factor?

Denmark has The X Factor (part 6)

Time for an X Factor update! This week was the final 4, Jesper, Thomas, Fireflies and Tine, with each act doing one song by the Danish rock band Gasolin’ and one chosen by the viewers (they voted online for which song the acts sang). Jesper was great as usual on his performance of Speed of… Continue reading Denmark has The X Factor (part 6)